KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 19

The newly-formed WBC Muay Thai Nepal announced the first National Championship today.

"We are organising the first edition of the National Championship on November 12," said WBC Muay Thai Nepal President Raju Rai at a press meet. WBC Muay Thai Nepal, which is affiliated to Thailand-based WBC Muay Thai, came into operation from last week of August after it was registered at Budhanilkantha Municipality.

"Muay Thai is a popular sport in Nepal and we are here to develop and preserve the culture of the game," said Rai. "Our objective is to lure youths into the sport and produce the fighters for international stage. WBC Muay Thai Nepal will provide the fighters with right path to reach and excel in international arena," he added.

To begin with, the WBC Muay Thai Nepal is organising the first National Championship in lightweight belt. "We will organise selection events across the country and pick up four best players for the finals," said Rai. "The selected players will fight for the belt which is internationally-recognised." Rai said the WBC Muay Thai Nepal would seek support from Nepal Muay Thai Association for the championship. "As we are new into the field, we are planning to coordinate with the national association for the event," he added.

Nepal Muay Thai Association President Ganesh Lal Kakshyapati welcomed the new body and said he would support them in line with the existing provisions. "We do not have the policy to stop anyone who wants to come into the field with the objective of developing the sport although the National Sports Council does not permit more than one association in one sport," said Kakshyapati. "We cannot go beyond our statute and the regulations imposed by the NSC.

We are ready to help the WBC Muay Thai Nepal as we believe in competition rather than monopoly," he added.